A way too early look at the projected Seattle Mariners’ 26-man roster

Following a quiet week in San Diego for the Winter Meetings, the Mariners’ front office contingent returned to Seattle late last week still looking for the final piece (or pieces) for the 2023 roster.

That search is ongoing, as the Mariners have said they won’t be in a big hurry to land that last bat (or two) and that they likely won’t find that particular player through free agency.

We’ll see whether or not the team can get what it seeks before the industry essentially shuts down for the final two weeks of the month for the holidays.

“We have to believe — and we talk about this all the time — that if we’re doing a deal, we’re not going to do a deal because we were emotionally driven to a deal,” said Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto. “We’re not going to do a deal because somebody else did and we feel like we have to.

“We are also not going to do it (just because) we can. We’re going to do it because we think it’s the right thing to do.”

With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at how the roster stands as of today — who might fit and where — before we go headfirst into Christmas.

(Note that the team’s 40-man roster is currently at 38 players.)

Starting pitchers

Luis Castillo enters his first spring training with the Mariners as the team’s No. 1 starter. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via Associated Press)

40 man options: Luis Castillo, Chris Flexen, Logan Gilbert, Marco Gonzales, George Kirby, Robbie Ray, Easton McGee, Justus Sheffield and Juan Then

Best bet for Opening Day: Castillo, Gilbert, Gonzales, Kirby and Ray

The sleeper: Chris Flexen (I know, I kn0w, but please see below)

Where we’re at: Let’s face it: The 2023 starting rotation has been in place for a while. The only question, really, is if the Mariners will move Flexen (more likely) or Gonzales (less likely) before the start of spring training (or, well, later). I get the strange feeling that Flexen — who was probably one of the club’s best trade chips heading into the winter — might still be around come spring training. I know there is interest in him (as there was before the 2022 trade deadline) but maybe the Mariners want to really fortify themselves in case they don’t have another dreamy year where they avoided injuries and underperformance from the rotation. I know nothing about this McGee kid other than he has minor-league options. Sheffield and Then are still around, but both rate as organizational depth.

Relief pitchers

40 man options: Brennan Bernardino, Prelander Berroa, Matt Brash, Isaiah Campbell, Diego Castillo, Chris Clarke, Matt Festa, Trevor Gott, Andrés Muñoz, Penn Murfee, Paul Sewald and Gabe Speier

Best bet for Opening Day: Brash, Castillo, Clarke, Festa, Gott, Muñoz, Murfee and Sewald

The sleeper: Casey Sadler (minor league contract)

Where we’re at: The Mariners again figure to have a strong bullpen, which is as big of a reason as any why they’ve posted consecutive seasons with 90 victories. There is certainly the chance of volatility year-to-year with these relievers and something will change. Sadler returns on a minor league deal, and that’s a good thing. He was really, really good in 2021. We’ll see how he looks after missing 2022 following shoulder surgery. Clarke was picked in last week’s Rule 5 draft and he’s got a chance to stick, though the competition for the eight bullpen spots will be tight. So, I wonder what a full season of Brash looks like coming out of the bullpen? That could be scary (good).

catchers

40-man roster options: Cal Raleigh, Tom Murphy and Cooper Hummel

Best bet for Opening Day: Raleigh, Murphy, Bumblebee

The sleeper: bumblebee

Where we’re at: Big Dumper! Sorry, but it’s been a while since I last typed those words. Feels good, right? The Mariners are in good shape in terms of their catchers. Raleigh (or, Big Dumper) had some big hits and continues to work better at-bats the more big-league pitching he sees. I can see him catching a lot in 2023. Murphy (shoulder) returns after appearing in only 14 games last season. He was off to a great start last season (batting .303 in 42 plate appearances). Hummel, obtained from Arizona for Kyle Lewis, could factor in here, especially since he can play the outfield as well and is a switch-hitter.

infielders

Will Ty France be the everyday first baseman? (Stephen Brashear /Getty Images)

40 man options: JP Crawford, Ty France, Dylan Moore, Eugenio Suarez, Kolten Wong, Evan White

Best bet for Opening Day: Crawford, France, Moore, Suárez and Wong

The sleeper: White

Where we’re at: The Mariners are pretty set here, especially after trading for Wong earlier this month. He should solidify second base with Moore being used to face lefties, play the outfield and spell Crawford at shortstop. What can change? The Mariners, in their search for more offense, could still add someone who plays the outfield and first base. The team would like to get some relief for France, who slowed down in the second half (.233 average compared to .308 in the first half). That player could also be used as part of a designated hitter platoon of sorts. Could that player be Evan White? If he’s healthy and he hits in spring, don’t rule it out. But it’s safe (and fair) to say at this point that you can’t count on that happening.

outfielders

40 man options: Jonatan Clase, Sam Haggerty, Teoscar Hernández, Hummel, Jarred Kelenic, Cade Marlowe, Moore, Alberto Rodriguez, Julio Rodríguez and Taylor Trammell

Best bet for Opening Day: Haggerty, Hernández, Kelenic, Julio Rodríguez, * Mystery Man

The sleeper: Marlowe

Where we’re at: Well, if the Mariners are going to add like they say they are…this is probably where. Maybe it’s an outfielder, or someone who can play the outfield, some first base and DH on occasion. We’ll see, but if the Mariners want another player who can make an impact, the outfield makes the most sense. Bryan Reynolds you say? He’d be a really good fit here, but I don’t know if the Mariners have the package that could pry him from the Pirates. And what to make of Kelenic? His first 500 at-bats in the major leagues haven’t been good, but at 23, it’s far too soon to close the door on him and the potential of his loud tools. I think that there’s a chance Hummel sticks, but I’d like to see what Marlowe can do. It will be an important spring for him.

(Photo of Cal Raleigh: Steven Bisig / USA Today)